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Should London Underground drivers be recognised as qualified drivers?

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notadriver

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Tyne and Wear metro drivers are recognised as qualified drivers as they operate over a network rail section of line so surely London Underground drivers who operate over network rail sections under network rail rules should similarly be recognised as such ? Bakerloo and district line drivers would fall into this category but interestingly not Metropolitan line tube drivers.
 
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bionic

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London Underground drivers do not have a mainline driving licence simply because they are not qualified mainline drivers. Those who work over Network Rail infrastructure have an add-on to their LU licence specific to the section of line they work ONLY. The rules for this are glossed over in half a day or so (compared to 3 months rules for a mainline driver) and in no way reflect anything close to all the information contained in the Network Rail rulebook. LU drivers are also not issued with the full NR rulebook, the sectional appendix or WONs and PONs.

LU trains are fitted with completely different safety equipment to NR trains and do not have AWS or TPWS fitted. On the whole, LU drivers have far more SPADs on the NR sections than NR drivers do, which is probably to do with the aggressive style of driving used on the LU sections, the fact that LU signalling on the Bakerloo and District is two aspect with signals far closer together, line speeds slower and most reds sighted within service braking distance. Its also partly to do with LU trains not having AWS or TPWS fitted. The multiSPAD lists for the areas concerned make interesting reading.

There is nothing stopping LU drivers from applying to join the mainline as trainee drivers if that's what they want to do. In fact any LU driver serious about going on the mainline would do just that.
 
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Tooktook

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I’m guessing Tyne and Wear metro do the train driver industry standard psychometric testing too when applying for the role ?

Where as lul have their own in house tests that aren’t transferable and are valid for their infrastructure.
 
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Sirgerbil

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notadriver said:
It would allow London Underground drivers to apply for qualified driver positions should they wish to relocate.
Click to expand...

Psychometric's aren't done to national standards for LU, nor are they trained to the full driver standards of NR rules.
 
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Aivilo

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The old psychometric tests for LU drivers used to be the same as mainline. I can't comment on if it's to the national standard and if they're the same since they were changed.

Metro and merseyrail are completely different to the tube
 
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bionic

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Its not in London Underground's interest for their drivers to be able to move across anyway. If they could transfer easily I'm sure LU drivers would go across in droves for the pay rise, the 4 day week, the chance to spend more time outside and the opportunity to work overtime. The fact they have to apply off the street same as everyone else, and go on trainee wages is enough to keep most LU drivers working for LU.
 
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